3 workers die at iPhone parts factory in Tamil Nadu run by Tata

Three contract workers died on Monday evening while servicing a wastewater treatment tank at a Tata Electronics factory in Tamil Nadu, which produces components for Apple's iPhones. Authorities suspect the men inhaled toxic gas, and post-mortem examinations are being conducted to determine the cause of death. The plant, located near Hosur, plays a crucial role in Apple's efforts to manufacture iPhones outside China.

It manufactures back panels and precision-machined metal casings for premium smartphones, requiring specialized tooling and surface finishing. The factory, which assembled finished iPhones in a separate section of the same compound, is one of India's key contributors to global iPhone production, accounting for about a quarter, according to Reuters.

The three men were part of a four-person maintenance crew, and the fourth worker called for help after the first two collapsed while trying to inspect the filtration tank. Despite proper safety measures, the crew lacked adequate safety precautions for the dangerous task. The district administration has launched an inquiry, and both Apple and Tata have ordered their own investigations.

The factory had been closed for the Deepavali holiday when the accident occurred, and a previous fire in a chemical storage area in September 2024 halted component production at the Hosur site. Additionally, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board had intervened in September 2024 over allegations of wastewater contamination in nearby farm wells.